Greenhouse Gases Factsheet

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that insulates the Earth from the cold of space. As incoming solar radiation is absorbed and re-emitted back from the Earth’s surface as infrared energy, greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere prevent some of this heat from escaping into space, instead reflecting the energy back to further warm the surface. Human activities that produce GHGs (anthropogenic) amplify the greenhouse effect. Anthropogenic GHG emissions are modifying the Earth’s energy balance between incoming solar radiation and the heat released back into space, resulting in climate change.1

Greenhouse Gases

There are ten primary GHGs; of these, water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) are naturally occurring. Perfluorocarbons (CF6, C2F6), hydroflurocarbons (CHF3, CF3CH2F, CH3CHF2), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) are only present in the atmosphere due to industrial processes.2

Water vapor is the most abundant and dominant GHG in the atmosphere. Its concentration depends on temperature and other meteorological conditions, and not directly upon human activities.1

CO2 is the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas, accounting for 78% of the human contribution to the greenhouse effect in 2010.3

Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) indicate the relative effectiveness of GHGs in trapping the Earth’s heat over a certain time horizon. CO2 is typically used as the reference gas and has a GWP of one.3 For example, the 100-year GWP of SF6 is 22,800, indicating that its radiative effect on a mass basis is 22,800 times as powerful as CO2 over the same time horizon.2

GHG emissions are typically discussed in terms of mass of carbon equivalents or carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), which are calculated by multiplying the mass of emissions by the GWP of the gas.4

The Main Greenhouse Gases2

Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Emissions

From 10,000 years ago until 250 years ago, atmospheric concentrations of N2O, CO2, and CH4 were relatively stable. During the last 250 years, concentrations of N2O, CO2, and CH4 increased by 20%, 40% and 150%, respectively.1

Pre-Industrial Revolution, the concentration of CO2 remained around 280 parts per million (ppm) by volume.5 In April 2018, the global monthly average concentration increased to 408.96 ppm, which is about 2.6 ppm higher than in April 2017.6

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Anthropogenic CO2 is emitted primarily from fossil fuel combustion. Iron and steel production, natural gas systems, and cement production are other significant sources of CO2 emissions.4

The U.S. oil and gas industry emits 2.3% of its gross production, equivalent to 13 million metric tons of methane each year—nearly 60 percent higher than EPA reports.7

CH4 and N2O are emitted from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Domestic livestock, landfills, and natural gas systems are the primary anthropogenic sources of CH4. Agricultural soil management (fertilizer) contributes 77% of anthropogenic N2O. Other significant sources include mobile and stationary combustion, and livestock.4

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are now used in refrigeration, cooling, and as solvents in place of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).8

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are used primarily for aluminum production, and SF6 is used as an insulator in electricity distribution equipment.8

From 2000 to 2015, global CO2 emissions from energy use increased 36%.9

Since 2006, China has been the world’s largest contributor of CO2 emissions, surpassing the U.S.9

United States

The U.S. represents less than 5% of the world’s total population but was responsible for 15% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions in 2016.10,11

From 1990 to 2016, U.S. GHG emissions increased by 2.5%, at an average annual growth rate of 0.1%.4

Fossil fuel combustion is the largest source of U.S. GHGs, currently accounting for 76% of total emissions. Since 1990, fossil fuel consumption has grown at a rate of 0.4%. However, both GHG emissions and fossil fuel consumption have decreased since 2005 while GDP kept growing.4

CO2 emissions accounted for 82% of total U.S. GWP-weighted emissions in 2016 and were 3.7% higher than in 1990.4

The electric power industry accounts for about one-third of total U.S. GHGs.4

In 2016, the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors each used approximately a third of the electricity generated.4

Transportation is the largest contributor of U.S. GHG emissions, responsible for 28.5% of total emissions in 2016 (22% higher than the 1990 level). Passenger cars and light-duty trucks accounted for 772 and 334 million metric tons CO2e, respectively, together making up 60% of U.S. transportation emissions and 17% of total U.S. emissions.4

Urban sprawl, increased travel demand, and an increase in the number of vehicles are driving the growth of transportation GHG emissions.4

Land use and forestry in the U.S. sequester a portion of CO2, removing 11% of the GHGs emitted by the U.S. in 2016.4

As a result of 2008 federal legislation, sources that emit over 25,000 metric tons CO2e in the U.S. are required to report emissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).12

U.S. GHG Emissions by Gas4

U.S. GHG Emissions by Sector4

Emissions by Activity

Future Scenarios and Targets

Stabilizing atmospheric CO2 concentration requires more than just slowing the growth rate of emissions; it requires absolute emissions reduction.15

Based on current climate regulations, global energy-related CO2 emissions are anticipated to increase by 26% from 2015 to 2050.16

Non-OECD countries’ CO2 emissions are expected to increase by 1.4% annually, significantly faster than OECD countries at 0.4% annually. Despite these increases, OECD countries will have per capita emissions 2.5 times higher than non-OECD countries in 2050.16

Under the Kyoto Protocol, developed countries agreed to reduce their GHG emissions on average by 5% below 1990 levels by 2012. Had the U.S. ratified the Kyoto Protocol, its reduction requirement would have been to reduce its emissions by 7%.17 When the first commitment period ended in 2012, the Protocol was amended for a second commitment period; the new overall reduction goal would be 18% below 1990 levels by 2020.18

Global CO2 emissions must be reduced by 50-85% below 2000 levels by 2050 in order to stabilize the average CO2 concentration below 400 ppm.19